Spring has finally broke free out of winter's icy grip on Branstrator Farm. All ready we are seeing the effects of an abnormally cold winter on the farm's produce this year. Often times take for granted how easy it is to go to the grocery store and pick out whatever fresh produce we want even in the dead of winter. This luxury is not a product of the natural world. In the real world we have negative degree temperatures that last 4-5 days in a row. These temperatures affects something call bud hardiness in our fruit trees and bushes. Bud hardiness is a way to measure how cold the temperatures can get and for how long before it negatively affects the fruit bud in the spring. Unfortunately for our peach trees and blackberry bushes the temperatures from this winter were too low. As a repurcussion of this we do not have any peach or blackberry blossoms this spring meaning we will not have any blackberries or peaches this summer. It looks like we will have to wait until next year to satiate our customers cravings of peaches and blackberries. Our unfortunate situation does help develop an appreciation for the weather and how it affects the life cycles. The anticipation will only make the fruit taste that much better next year! For more information about bud hardiness and how climate affects fruit production click here.

Ahhh such is the life of the farmer. Another characteristic of being a farmer is the ability to roll with the punches. Knowing that there will be a lack of peaches and blackberries Jon has been working hard this spring ordering seeds for the year and creating new projects for himself. This year he will be working with Cornell University growing broccoli and other cruciferous produce. He has 25,000 broccoli plants sitting in a hoop house basking in the sunlight until the time comes for Jon to pick them up like a hot date and plant them in the earth to fester. This project will span across the summer and fall as he will use a successional planting schedule. Some broccoli does well in the warmer weather and some does better in cooler weather. As he plants them across the season we hope to produce delicious fresh broccoli for the masses to make up for the lack of fruit. We hope that this large project will take off and that our customers will enjoy this pleasant change for the year. To read more about this project and Cornell University's involvement click here.

Every year we also like to experiment with new plants to see how they will take to the land and to our customers. This year Romaine Lettuce and Mustard has been chosen to fill that role. We will plant 2500 romaine lettuce as well as various amounts of mustard, cauliflower and brussel sprouts. These are considered trials and with that we leave the possibility that anything can happen...

So take that winter! You may take our peaches and blackberries but you will never slow down the heart of Branstrator Farm. In fact just to show you we are inviting every one back out to the farm for our Fourth Annual Strawberry and Asparagus Festival.

The Strawberry and Asparagus Festival will take place May 24, 2014 between 10am and 5pm as well as May 25, 2014 between 12pm and 5pm. Every year we throw this big party to celebrate the beginning of our growing season and especially our strawberry you-pick season. At the festival you can take your family right out into the fields to pick your own strawberries. There will be live music, delicious food and unique local vendors from the southern Ohio area. We will have Peaceful Acres Lavender Farm will be selling their relaxing scents, soaps and candles, Sacred Mountain Farm with their cozy soft alpaca made garments just to name a couple. We have a tremendous line up for live music with Vibrant Trabadours, The Steven Gregory Band, Old Man Stuckert's Family Band, and solo acts like Lonnie Stuckert, Kevin Brewer, George Byrd (Mr. Akimbo) and Christine Lynn Inlow. There will be more updates to come daily so make sure to check out our facebook page or here on our website!

As we settle into our busy grove of our growing season we look forward to what this year will bring; friends, loyal customers and fresh delicious produce. We will have our produce in the same locations as last year, Dorothy Lane Market and Pipkin's Market as well as our favorite farmer's markets in Madiera, Loveland and Wilmington. We are excited to be back in action and are looking forward to seeing you at farmer's markets, at our farm stands and in our favorite grocery stores!

Thanks for the excellent explanation about peach trees and cold! My daughter and I recently noticed that our peach trees hadn't yet flowered this year, and the buds that were there in the winter are shriveled now.
Ah well, there's always next year.